August 26, 2016

Green Beauty | Hygiene

Green Beauty doesn't solely include makeup and cosmetic products, it's about the whole body---from head to toe. It's what we're putting on our scalps, underarms, brushing our teeth with, and even the products we're using during "that" time of the month.

So here are a few aspects of our daily routines that often get forgone when we're transitioning to non-toxic product, but should not be forgotten!

Hand Soaps

We all use them---foaming, anti-bacterial, and everything in-between. Many traditional hand soaps are loaded with added fragrances, sodium laureth sulfate, and harsh dyes that have potential harmful side effects.

Artificial fragrances can disrupt our body's hormones, and cause allergic reactions. Sulfates dry out the skin and can also cause skin irritations.

I highly recommend the Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Baby-Mild Pure Castile Soap. If you prefer scented soaps, their Pure Castile Soap has a pleasant peppermint aroma! They do not contain parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrances, phenoxyethanol (a popular preservative used in substitute of parabens), or other potentially harmful ingredients.

Pick this up for around $7 at your Whole Foods, Vitacost, or local health food store!

Feminine Hygiene

I assume many of you ladies have heard the horror stories of Toxic Shock Syndrome, but I bet you haven't heard about the chlorine and pesticides used in the cotton for your tampons, pads, and feminine hygiene products.

Cotton is one of the most pesticide laced products on the market. If you'd like to read up on the dangers of these pesticides and other chemicals used in conventional tampons, here is an article to start you off.

I highly recommend using organic cotton whenever possible. Story time, I was out of my organic tampons this past 4th of July, and of course my local Co-Op was closed. I made the trip to Walgreens, purchased the smallest count size possible, and subsequently cursed my Co-Op for being closed on our National Holiday.

If you're ever in that kind of situation or your local stores do not carry organic feminine hygiene products, give a subscription box a try. CORA gives you the option to order the exact number of tampons that you need, the absorbency, and choose your preferred payment plan. You can order one month at a time for $12, every 3 months for $32, or annually for $132. Keep in mind, these tampons are organic cotton and the plastic applicators are BPA Free!

Your first order comes with their Little Black Box, to house your tampons, Little Black Clutch, a vegan leather clutch for on-the-go, and their Stowaway containers to throw your tampons in. Frankly, I think the extra packaging is unnecessary and wasteful. I do love the vegan leather pouch though!

My code, CORA5JUSTINE, saves you $5 on your first order! (Code active until September 25th)

If subscription services are not your thing, I highly recommend the Natracare Organic Tampons with Applicators. They're 100% Organic Cotton, are biodegradable, and are free of chlorine and perfumes.

They're available through Vitacost, Amazon, or your local health food stores. (I'm personally not a fan of their liners.)

CORA

CORA

Deodorant

Finding an all-natural, aluminium-free deodorant that ACTUALLY WORKS is the never ending struggle of my life. Not an exaggeration.

Conventional deodorant often contains up to 20% Aluminum. Aluminum has been linked to Breast Cancer, Alzheimer's, and many other health problems. Here's an article that highlights the dangers.

Just avoid it all together when it's being absorbed by your body---no need to get rid of your aluminum tin foil.

Antiperspirants are even worse, DO NOT ever try to stop your body from perspiring, your body is trying to purge itself from those toxins through sweating!

My go-to has been the Hlavin Lavilin 72 + Hours Deodorant. The formula is Aluminum and Paraben-Free, however, it does contain artificial fragrances and Phenoxyethanol. So while it's not ideal, it controls odor ALL DAY.

Leave your non-toxic deodorant recommendations in the comments!

Lavilin 72 + Hours Deodorant

Body Wash

I personally have not used body wash in quite some time, but I know many people still do. Traditional body washes contain numerous artificial fragrances, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, and many ingredients that can have long-term negative effects on the body.

So while it "smells SO good!", those artificial scents are disrupting and creating havoc on your bodies hormones.

If you don't want to give up amazing scent of a body wash, go for the 100% Pure Shower Gels. They're free of artificial dyes, fragrances and preservatives, and sulfates. Order from their website and receive FREE SHIPPING on all orders!

100% Pure Vanilla Bean Shower Gel

Disclaimer: The CORA products were sent for review. I was not paid or sponsored.